AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Claim two of us instead,” she offered, her voice gentle but unwavering.
Beside her, another Prize nodded in agreement, the swirling patterns on her skin reflecting her determination.
The Champion’s expression transitioned from surprise to contemplation.
His gaze shifted between the two Prizes and me, weighing his options.
In a universe that often felt void of choices, this was a momentary gift of power to him, and he seemed to savor it.
After what felt like an eternity, he nodded, reaching out to place a hand on the shoulder of the silver-haired Prize and another who stood by her side.
They both stiffened, though the determination never wavered from their eyes.
As the Champion led them away, the weight of their sacrifice began to press heavily on my chest.
I couldn’t let them leave without expressing my gratitude, my confusion, my admiration. “Why?” I called out, my voice slightly shaky from the rush of emotions.
The silver-haired Prize paused, turning her head slightly to look back at me.
The Champion, perhaps curious himself, allowed her this brief moment.
“Because,” she began, her voice soft yet echoing in the almost silent room, “true love should be fought for and defended. Not all of us will be fortunate enough to find it, but those who do should cherish it.”
A wistful, melancholic smile formed on her lips.
It was a mask, a facade meant to comfort me and, perhaps, herself.
She turned away, continuing her path alongside the Champion, her shoulders held high despite the burden she’d willingly accepted.
The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, casting a poignant shadow over the room.
All eyes were on them as they left, the exit doors sliding shut behind them with an air of finality.
I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of guilt, gratitude, and a newfound determination to ensure that their sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
Pulling myself back into the present, I turned my attention to Ashale.
His eyes, filled with a mixture of relief and concern, met mine.
We didn’t need to speak; our emotions, our shared experiences, our love for one another, all communicated volumes in the silence between us.
Holding onto him, I buried my face in the crook of his neck, allowing myself to get lost in him.
The soft rustling of his clothes, the rhythmic beating of his heart — they all reassured me that he was real, that he was here with me.
The outside world, with its challenges and threats, seemed distant.
For now, in this brief moment of respite, all that mattered was the comforting embrace of the one I loved.
* * *
The door to Ashale’s cell slid open, revealing the room that had been his home for so long.
My bare feet touched the cold, smooth floor, sending a slight shiver up my spine.
The fluorescent lights overhead gave the room an almost sterile glow.
He guided me inside, his hand gently placed on the small of my back.
